Using nature in Norway – like a Norwegian

Camping

As a general rule, according to §9 of the Open Air Act, you can pitch your tent anywhere at least 150 meters from the nearest inhabited house or cabin and stay there for up to two days. You can’t stay there longer than that without consent from the landowner. It’s nevertheless important to note that local regulations may contain stricter rules, and it’s prohibited to camp in certain outdoor areas outside designated areas. These prohibitions are usually indicated by obvious signage. Camping in “infield” areas (cultivated land and the areas around inhabited buildings) is more strictly regulated than in “outfield” areas (basically any uncultivated wild place, including beaches, forest, mountains and marshes), and always requires consent from the landowner. Farmers can take this pretty seriously. In the mountains and in places far from built areas, one can stay longer without consent if the stay doesn’t cause significant damage or inconvenience to others. It’s also important to note that the law contains several special exceptions to the general rule (camping isn’t permitted if it could damage young forest, for example). In brief, the rules for camping are founded on a requirement for considerate and conscientious behaviour and the basic understanding that all camping must take place without harm to nature or nuisance to others. Don’t make a scene and take all your rubbish with you, basically! And one thing that we think is important, despite not being enshrined in law – leave no trace! When you leave, leave it as you found it, so others can enjoy the beauty of the place as you did.

If you pitch a tent in the wild, you must remember:

Leave no trace

Allemannsretten entitles us to many things. But it comes with responsibilities. One of the duties is that we take good care of nature, and leave no trace behind us. Travelling without leaving a trace is about leaving behind no more than your own footprints, so that those who come after us can enjoy nature, untouched, as you did. We have a shared responsibility to take care of it.

Read about “traceless travel” here!

Allemannsretten – the right to roam

Being out in nature is an important component of our cultural heritage. Since time immemorial, we’ve had the right to travel in forests and fields, along rivers, on lakes, through archipelago and mountains regardless of who owns the land. We can harvest from nature – not only saltwater fish, berries, mushrooms and flowers, but impressions and experiences. The main principles of the right to roam are enshrined in law in the Open Air Act of 1957. The right of access both grants rights and entails obligations. Exercising your rights requires consideration and attentiveness. Section 2 of the Open Air Act expresses the main rule of the right of access: “In rural areas, anyone can move on foot throughout the year, when it is done considerately and with due caution”. But there are many exceptions. Section 19 of the Act specifies that restrictions resulting from other laws and regulations take precedence. Examples of this may be restrictions owing to nature conservation or bathing bans arising from drinking water restrictions.

Allemannsretten applies in uncultivated places. There you can:

Boots and skis

You may travel freely through rural areas, summer or winter, whether it’s on a path/road, on ski tracks, or if you want to find your own way. In winter, you can also travel on frozen or snow-covered fields and meadows. You can travel on paths and roads in unbuilt areas all year round, but remember to keep your distance from farmyards, houses and cabins. All dogs must be leashed between 1 April and 20 August inclusive. You can stop and rest wherever you want in an an unbuilt area if it is not near any inhabited house or cabin and otherwise make sure to treat others with consideration. You can’t light a fire in any wild place between 15 April and 15 September. You are legally responsible if your fire causes a forest fire. .

In wild places, remember: